(DDM) – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused influential figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to manipulate its internal leadership ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the allegations were made on Monday by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s national publicity secretary, who said the ADC is aware of efforts to promote Nafiu Gombe as the party’s national chairman.
Abdullahi noted that Gombe had previously been expelled from the ADC for engaging in actions inconsistent with the party’s constitution, principles, and collective leadership decisions.
“Mr Gombe, who once claimed to be Deputy National Chairman under the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, was duly expelled from the ADC,” the statement reads.
He said the attempt to elevate Gombe reflects a clear objective: to sow confusion within the ADC, sponsor illegitimate leadership claims, and weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Abdullahi argued that such actions aim to deprive Nigerians of a credible political alternative, leaving them with no real choice amid widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling party.
“We, therefore, wonder at the level of desperation driving these anti-democratic forces to continue their sinister efforts to impose expelled individuals on the party or manipulate its internal structures through external political pressure on judges and electoral officials,” Abdullahi added.
He referenced a combined meeting of the ADC’s national working committee (NWC) and national executive committee (NEC) in July 2025, witnessed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, which transferred leadership to a coalition led by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
The transition was formally recognised by INEC in September 2025, Abdullahi noted, reinforcing the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership.
He also highlighted a federal high court decision on March 6, 2026, dismissing a case challenging Mark’s leadership and reaffirming that leadership matters remain primarily an internal party affair, consistent with a previous Supreme Court ruling.
Abdullahi urged the public, party members, and democratic institutions to respect the ADC’s constitutionally recognised leadership and disregard claims by unauthorised individuals.
He concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to strengthening internal democracy and offering Nigerians a credible opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
